THE MARA led government is prepared to commit resources to save lives with the limited resources at hand should the deadly coronavirus reaches the shores of Malaita Province. Malaita Provincial Premier Daniel Suidani made the statement in the light of the threat posed by coronavirus after the World Health Organization declared it as a pandemic.…
TWO airlines operating services into Honiara will temporarily suspend their international services into Honiara towards the end of this week. In a statement, agents for the two airlines Guadalcanal Travel Solomons (GTS) said Virgin Australia made its final service from Brisbane to Honiara and return Thursday. Virgin Australia Group made the decision in response to the…
MAKIRA Gold which has been buying sola dried cocoa beans from Makira and Guadalcanal cocoa farmers has opened a chocolate factory in Haberfield in Sydney, Australia. Brian Atkin, who owns Makira Gold says the chocolate factory is run in partnership with chocolate artisan Jessica Pedemont. He says the new chocolate business is called South Pacific…
TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands lauds and commends the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in their tireless efforts towards protecting the Solomon Islands from the COVID- 19 pandemic that is affecting the countries of the world regardless of their development status. This is a mammoth task for a Ministry that is mandated, tasked and expected to…
STUDENTS studying at the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACoM) owned Selwyn College in West Guadalcanal are safe to return to the school, the Church’s Education authority has confirmed. This was possible after the authority assessed the damages caused by last week’s heavy rain and flooding which forced the students to be evacuated. The authority has…
MARA government recognizes the contributions from tribal chiefs and community leaders who hold authority within the community and over their resources. Premier Daniel Suidani said these groups of people are significant and must be consulted and invited to be part of his government decision-making process and development. He said these people have power over land…
PREPARATIONS AND ACTIONS TO RESPOND TO THE CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC IN SOLOMON ISLANDS My fellow Solomon Islanders: The world is facing a common and invisible enemy that does not respect geographical boundaries – the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. The World Health Organization declared the Corona Virus a Global Pandemic on 11 March 2020.…
National Referral Hospital (NRH) is implementing special emergency measures to respond to the threat of the new Coronavirus (COVID–19). Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr. John Hue said all non-urgent clinics and Hospital services are suspended until further notice. Under the NRH Infection and Prevention Control (IPC) protocol, there is an urgent need to control the movement…
A HONIARA resident has urged relevant authorities including the national government to completely close off all international airports and seaports in light of the growing threat from the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19). Kemuel Mauta stated COVID-19 is a global threat thus the government, relevant authorities and other stakeholders should not just limit international flights and ships…
DEAR EDITOR – According to a report by the SI Government’s Statistician, Douglas Kimi, a record total of 16,233 tourists entered the Solomon Islands during the final (4th) quarter of 2019. Kimi said, “Compared to the same quarter a year ago, an increase of 5.5 percent was recorded and visitors made up 50 percent of…